Beast Man was an orange ape-like creature who could telepathically control animals and monsters. He currently uses this particular talent as chief henchmen to Skeletor, the Overlord of Evil. Beast Man is one of the most physically powerful agents in Skeletor’s legions of evil. The hulking mammoth is incredibly strong and has the highest proportionate strength in Skeletor’s army. He is incredibly agile and is able to swing through a jungle canopy faster than most normal Eternians could walk along the ground. However, his ferocity in battle and incredible physical gifts are often offset by his less than adequate intelligence. Beast Man has a keen sense of smell, and—to a certain extent—can track human prey. Thus far the only major limitation Beast Man has displayed is his inability to control dragons. In combat, Beastman prefers the closeness and blatant savagery that only hand-to-hand combat can provide but he also is very skilled with his deadly Whip, which he also uses to discipline his monsters.

Origin #1 (Series Bible)

Beast Man's background is never mentioned in the cartoon, although the series bible states a surprising origin for him, explaining he was once a thuggish human from Earth called Biff Beastman who owned a farmyard on which he constantly abused the animals. He was recruited as chief technician on the spacecraft piloted by Marlena Glenn, which crashlanded on Eternia, but he wound up on Skeletor's homeworld of Infinita, where he was mutated into Beast Man and recruited by Skeletor. This origin story appears in a storybook entitled "New Champions of Eternia" but was unpopular with most of the show's writers and therefore excluded from the series.

Origin #2 (Ladybird Books):

Beast Man is included in numerous MOTU storybooks throughout the 1980s. One such range of storybooks is the Ladybird Books which reveals he was the leader of a tribe of Beast People from the Vine Jungle. Although this background has never been mentioned in any of the more prominent MOTU incarnations (except for the DC Comics, which features the "Beastmen"), it is generally a popular concept amongst fans that he hails from a jungle tribe.

Origin #3 (Filmation):

Beast Man appears frequently in the toy line's accompanying cartoon series by Filmation, introduced in the first episode "Diamond Ray of Disappearance". Although toned down slightly for the younger-child friendly series, as were many of the characters, his cartoon portrayal is generally consistent with his mini-comic portrayal, although in some early episodes the show's writers added extra dimensions to his character in that despite his loyalty, he clearly resents being bossed around by Skeletor and secretly desires to someday overthrow his master. This side of his character is brought to the forefront in the episode "Prince Adam No More", in which he is finally thrown out of Skeletor's crew. Feeling useless without the power of Snake Mountain behind him, he sets out to prove his worth by capturing King Randor by himself and bringing him to Snake Mountain. Although he succeeds in capturing the King, when He-Man comes to the rescue he is subjected once again to Skeletor's wrath and admitted back into his ranks purely so Skeletor has someone to vent his anger on. But his final line in the episode "It's kind of nice to be home" indicates he now feels he belongs as Skeletor's underling, and subsequent episodes portray him mostly for comedy value, willingly succumbing to Skeletor's abuse and constantly bungling his schemes. Notable episodes for Beast Man in the show's later stages include "The Shadow of Skeletor" and "Orko's Return" which restore him to his original, darker portrayal, working independently and craftily to achieve his aims. The powers of Beast-Man are shown effective in some earlier episodes, such as "Creatures from the Tar Swamp", "A Beastly Sideshow" and "The Dragon Invasion". His ability to control animals is not impeccable, however. For instance, he cannot control Cringer, Battle Cat, or Panthor. Beast Man remained a fairly regular character throughout the run of the 1980s series, while some other earlier figures like Zodac, Mer-Man, Tri-Klops and Stratos gradually dropped out of sight when newer characters were released. He generally held his position as Skeletor's right hand man throughout the cartoon's run, although in some later second season episodes this position was occasionally filled by characters such as Clawful or Whiplash, as writers attempted to promote newer characters more prominently. Beast Man was often teamed up with Trap-Jaw, one of the other earlier characters to remain consistent through the show's life.

Origin #4 (1987 Live-Action Movie)

Beast Man also appears in the live action Masters of the Universe movie in 1987. Although credited as 'Beastman' (all one word), he is presented as "the Beastman" within the movie. Played by Tony Carroll, he is portrayed somewhat differently to other incarnations, appearing as a savage minion of Skeletor's, who merely growls instead of speaking. Although his lack of speech might indicate a lower level of intelligence than his usual depiction, the character is shown as capable of using high-tech weapons, working in a team and following orders. (He is also seen to carry a rather battered, simple sword at his waist, although is not seen actually using it in the movie.) When Skeletor incinerates Saurod for the broader team's failure, Beast Man clutches at his master's leg and makes a great show of begging for his life.The film makes no mention of his ability to control animals.

Origin #5 (MVCreations - Icons Of Evil: Beast Man):

Keldor is at the Berserker Islands searching for somebody savage and strong enough to assist him in his conquests, and an old shaman shows him images of a beast that he will find in a town at west. At Keldor's arrival at the town, it begins raining, so he accepts the hospitality of a cat-woman, but then he faces her jealous wolflike mate. Suddenly, the wolf-like man is killed by Beast Man, the beast Keldor was seeking for. Beast Man refuses Keldor's offer and they fight. Beast Man is about to bite Keldor's head off until servants of King Trinok, ruler of the Berserker Islands, submit him with tranquilizer darts. They intend to cook both Beast Man and Keldor as a meal for their king. Keldor awakes at a cell next to Beast Man and convinces him to work together to escape. They defeat the guards, but since they don't know the place, they end where the fire to cook them is being lit. King Trinok orders to kill them, but Trinok's people aren't rivals for Keldor's magic and Beast Man's brute strength. Finally, Trinok himself enters the fray and Keldor kills him with just one burst of magic energy. Keldor and Beast Man run away while Trinok's vizier offers a reward for the heads of the king's murderers. Keldor tells Beast Man that, with the king dead and everyone in the Berserker Islands hunting him, his options are leave and serve him or stay and die. Beast Man addresses Keldor as his master.

Origin #6 (Official Bio):

After being banished from his home in the Vine Jungle, the Beast Man named Raqquill Rqazz joined up with a young alchemist named Keldor during a skirmish in the Beserker Islands. Like others of his race, Rqazz has the ability to control beasts and monsters. He currently uses this particular talent as chief henchmen to Skeletor, the Overlord of Evil. Beast Man is also incredibly strong, and is capable of holding off the likes of Battle Cat in combat.

Trivia (Clawful94): Beast Man was one of the first seven characters to be created for the Masters of the Universe toy line by Mattel in the early 1980s, and one of the first four to be completed and released (the other three being He-Man, Man-At-Arms and Skeletor). When the character was developed by Mattel, the name of Beast Man was reused from a figure in Mattel's earlier Flash Gordon toy line. Beast Man is voiced by John Erwin in the Filmation Cartoons and voiced by Scott McNeil in the MYP 200X Cartoons. Although credited as 'Beastman' (all one word), he is presented as "the Beastman" within the movie. Played by Tony Carroll, he is portrayed somewhat differently to other incarnations, appearing as a savage minion of Skeletor's, who merely growls instead of speaking.